State election officials contend the state law intended that only state or federally issued photo IDs are valid at the polls, but the city of Memphis argued that the library cards, which include a photo, should be enough to prove identity.

The state Court of Appeals last August cited Tennessee case law in finding that Memphis is a branch of the state and the library cards could be accepted at polls. Secretary of State Tre Hargett and state Elections Coordinator Mark Goins appealed to the state Supreme Court, which will hear arguments on Wednesday morning.